Self-care A beginners guide

12
Feb 2019

One of the trends we have seen in the past few years is something called self-care. Self-care is prioritizing your mental, physical and spiritual health. To do this we greatly encourage prioritizing things like Facials, Massages, Yoga, or even just some downtime to rest and recuperate! When you do this it enables you to be the best you that you can be, as in more productive, focused and less stressed. As we all know stress does severe damage to not only your mental health but your physical appearance.

Stress can not only impact us emotionally and mentally, but it also has a tendency to impact our skin negatively. It can cause skin reactivity, flair-ups as well as overall dullness caused by hormone imbalance. When you are stressed your skin knows and adjusts accordingly. You tend to be more reactive than if you were low stress-causing things like acne and psoriasis.

To combat things like stress, self-care is very important. In a world where your attention is constantly divided it enables you to take a moment and just be your number one priority. Whether you are doing something like reading a book or something a little more deliberate like investing in a facial, self-care can be a lifesaver.

Studies have shown that skin care is a great place to start when it comes to self-care. Allowing yourself that time in the morning and evening to use your skin care regimen properly gives you a moment to yourself and to really care for yourself. Self-care goes way beyond skin care though. This is just a great place to start. Not only will your skin look great, but it will also feel great. It is not a large commitment and it creates a consistent habit to start becoming a priority.

Here are some other great ways to provide self-care to yourself:
1. Get a pedicure or a manicure.
2. Read a book or magazine for an hour.
3. Take a bubble bath—complete with candles and calming music.
4. Pick or buy a bouquet of fresh flowers.
5. Take a leisurely walk without a goal.
6. Get a facial.
7. Take a nap.
8. Order in dinner.
9. Have a dance party to my favorite music.
10. Take a mental health day—and feel not an ounce of guilt about it.
11. Burn a candle or diffuse some oils that have scents that bring me joy.
12. Sit in a coffee shop and sip on a luxurious drink.
13. Walk around the fancy grocery store without a list. Buy some stuff just for fun.
14. Try out a new hobby.
15. Do yoga.

Your mental, physical and spiritual health is important. Make it a priority. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take a few minutes every day and make sure you are filling back up! Remember self-care can be a large or a small act, whatever works best for you make sure you find a way to fit it in your schedule. You deserve it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ximena